Senior Counsel

If you're passionate about being part of a diverse organization that enables a Fortune 100 company to deliver innovative business solutions with excellence, then Nationwide's Legal team could be the place for you At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

The Senior Counsel can be a fully remote position that will be a critical member of a Reinsurance and Alternative Risk center of excellence within Nationwide’s Office the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) and will support such transactions throughout the Nationwide enterprise.

This position involves providing specialized legal and regulatory expertise to support reinsurance and alternative risk financing strategies for Property & Casualty and Financial Services. The successful candidate will have experience in various areas related to insurance, reinsurance, and risk management.

Responsibilities:

Alternative Risk Financing:

Advise on alternative risk financing mechanisms, including captives, structured insurance solutions, insurance -linked securities and notes, catastrophe bonds, and other innovative solutions. Evaluate the legal and regulatory implications of alternative risk structures.

Reinsurance and Fronting Arrangements:

Review and negotiate reinsurance and fronting agreements, including ancillary agreements, and advise on issues involving reinsurance intermediaries, program administrators, third party administrators, trusts, multinational insurance programs, etc. Address legal and regulatory issues, including license, registration, collateral, tax, etc.

Reinsurance Entities and Captive Insurers:

Advise on the establishment, regulation, and ongoing governance and administration of reinsurance entities and captive insurers. Address licensing and registration requirements.

Bermuda and Other Offshore Reinsurance Regulations and Transactions:

Navigate international regulatory frameworks for cross-border reinsurance transactions. Analyze legal and compliance aspects of global reinsurance operations working with other areas of expertise, including privacy, tax, trade and economic sanctions, and other- regulatory implications.

Regulatory and Reporting Requirements:

Address domestic and foreign entity reinsurance license and registration requirements. Advise on credit for reinsurance requirements, collateral issues, Schedule F matters, etc. 

Familiarity with various insurance products:

Property & Casualty, Collateral Protection Insurance, Financial Guaranty Insurance, Trade Credit & Political Risks Insurance, Warranty and Indemnification Insurance, Management Specialty Lines Insurance, Medical Stop Loss, etc.

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(Internal Use Only - Compensation Band 8)

Job Description Summary

Would you thrive in an environment where you can deliver top-quality legal services to support the goals and objectives of a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company? If you possess the legal education, skills and expertise needed to provide outstanding service, advice, and counsel, we want to hear from you

As Senior Counsel, you'll independently provide expert advice and counsel on highly complex legal matters to senior-level leaders. We'll count on you to create valuable risk management recommendations by actively identifying and logically assessing potential legal risks in ambiguous, unique and/or the most complex business situations which have the greatest potential for significant impact to the company.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Provides the highest level of subject matter expertise for legal specialties on significant, high-risk, or highly complex legal matters. Regularly attends business partner meetings to better understand business processes and needs.

Identifies and logically assesses potential legal risks. Creates risk management/mitigation recommendations using sound risk assessment information to further achievement of business objectives. Drafts necessary legal documents and develops conclusions and recommendations.

Regularly interacts with senior leaders in Office of the Chief Legal Officer (OCLO) or the company on legal matters within area(s) of legal expertise. Has input into or influence on company decision-making.

Creates practical and effective solutions to the most complex legal issues with no established precedent; develops creative solutions to unique legal problems; has significant interaction with persons outside of the company.

Takes the lead role in matters that are highly complex, strategic, or sensitive in nature. Understands the business partner's position and needs. 

Keeps senior leaders and appropriate management of company informed of case law and new legislation, as appropriate. Considers the long-term business and strategic consequences of possible outcomes. Delivers difficult messages or news, and challenges business partners when necessary; responds to challenges to advice and counsel directly and effectively.

Brings a broad network of established relationships, both internal and external, to the organization, particularly in recognized areas of subject matter expertise.

Works independently and may lead teams to resolve highly complex legal and organizational issues. 

Makes recommendations about and ensures compliance with approved outside counsel budget.

Hires and develops talent, provides consistent coaching and feedback 

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Vice President/Associate Vice President/Managing Counsel; may lead a team of Legal professionals. 

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school. 

License/Certification/Designation: Associates reporting within Nationwide’s OCLO who are functioning in attorney roles must be fully licensed in accordance with OCLO policy, in good standing and in compliance with all continuing legal education requirements at all times in the state(s) in which they practice. 

Experience: Typically has 15 or more years of relevant legal experience. May have management experience. Has significant experience with or knowledge of one or more areas of law, complex legal practices and procedures, project management concept and techniques. Considered a subject matter authority within his or her areas of legal expertise. Sound business acuity and knowledge of the business goals and objectives as they relate to the matter at hand. 

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills for contacts interacting with all levels within OCLO and with business partners. Analytical ability to interpret statutes, regulations, insurance policies and other contracts. Decision-making ability to set work priorities and make recommendations. Ability to lead cross-functional projects. Ability to lead, initiate, organize and coordinate highly complex projects and/or cases. Takes the lead role in negotiations that are complex, strategic, or sensitive in nature. Supervisory skills useful. Significant professional and/or civic involvement. 

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. 

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Some travel may be required.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.
 

Credit/Background Check: Due to the fiduciary accountabilities of this job, a valid credit and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

We currently anticipate accepting applications until 10/30/2024. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more.

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